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Pragmatic prospection emphasizes utility of predicting rather than mere predictability

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2017

Roy F. Baumeister ,
Cory J. Clark  and
JongHan Kim
Roy F. Baumeister
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4301baumeister@psy.fsu.educclark3@fsu.eduwww.roybaumeister.com
Cory J. Clark
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4301baumeister@psy.fsu.educclark3@fsu.eduwww.roybaumeister.com
JongHan Kim
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC 29528-6054jkim@coastal.edu
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Abstract

Contrary to one assumption of CLASH, we suggest that colder rather than warm climates are the harsh, unpredictable ones, thus requiring greater self-control. We propose shifting emphasis from predictability to utility of prediction. Northern climates may be less predictable than tropical ones, making predictions and planning far more important, insofar as they can prevent fatalities and promote other pragmatic benefits.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 40 , 2017 , e77
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Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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References

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